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Saturday, October 14, 2017

Fox Loves Taco Review

As a gluten-free eater, tacos are one of my favorite genres of food because they are so easily adapted to be gluten and dairy-free. When I heard a new all-veggie-centric taco joint was coming to Washington DC's Brookland neighborhood, I immediately bumped it to the top of my never-ending list new restaurants to try. Fox Loves Taco is this decidedly hip taqueria. Open from the early hours of the morning to early evening, they serve up breakfast tacos all day, and prove that tacos a perfect meal any time of day. With a menu that has something for everyone to love (even with dietary restrictions), don't be deceived by its humble location inside a bicycle shop. Fox Loves Taco's taco creations are small in number, but each flavor combination is as intriguing as the next. There's both meat and vegetarian options, and some can be made vegan by swapping guacamole for cheese. Their corn tortillas are the sole tortilla option for gluten-free diners, and these are made by Moctec, a local tortilla-making company.

I arrived for breakfast, and decided to order the street fighter (a pulled pork taco) paired with the power-up, a vegetarian taco with a brussels sprouts and mushroom base. The latter was made dairy-free by swapping guac for cheese. The first taco I tried was the pork taco, which was generously stuffed with tender, juicy pulled pork. I relished every succulent bite, and liked how the peppers and radish provided a crunch and complemented the intense flavor of the mole sauce. The doubled up tortilla did an admirable job withstanding the juicy, generous portioning of the fillings without tearing apart or crumbling.The second taco I ordered was okay, but definitely faced a tough challenge after the perfection of the pork taco. The marinated mushrooms, sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts were meaty with an earthy flavor. The guacamole added a nice creaminess and burst of flavor to the taco that was definitely a highlight. However the combination of the vegetables, guac, and vin cotta just were not hitting their marks for me. Maybe it was the comparison with he first taco, maybe it was the taco itself, but either way this was underwhelming.For my beverage, I ordered a cup of their kombucha on draft, which comes from Bruja Kombucha, a local brewery. Playfully named "Puss in Booch," I adored the fermented tea's flavors butterfly pea flour and ginger. It was fizzy and sweet- absolutely perfect as a companion to my tacos. Any time I can get kombucha on tap is a gold star for any restaurant!

Overall, my experience was rather mixed. I love the vibe of Fox Loves Taco, and the pork taco really showed me they know their stuff when it comes to this street food favorite. However, the mushroom taco really struck me as a misfire. I definitely need to come back and try their other taco options to get a consensus for their food. My advice is to not come in expecting traditional Mexican tacos- come with an open mind and adventurous palate. With plant-based coffeehouse options and gluten-free (and vegan) baked goods, they definitely have established themselves as a safe haven for gluten-free foodies, and I hope they see much success in the future.

The Basics

Address: 716 Monroe St, Washington, DC 20017

Cuisine: Vegan, Vegetarian, Tacos

Ideal For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Price: See individual taco prices above

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.

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